Consoles - Smitty vs Tuffy

[sl33py]

Thanks to Landcruiserjunky and his Smittybilt Console Review thread I purchased mine this week. (Amazon prime = free 2 day shipping and about $80 w/ tax)

In a rare occurrence I actually got off my butt after work and got it installed tonight! (Truly a minor miracle as most projects go about the speed of molasses uphill in the winter...)

Since my 84 is in stasis in the garage I figured I could grab my Tuffy to compare side by side w/ the Smittybilt console...

And I didn't dust off the tuffy so sue me...

Here they are side by side

A bit dusty i know...

Side Shot - Smitty w/o the back bottom piece

Hardware that came w/ the Smitty

Tuffy is about 24.5" long

Smitty is about 26.5" long

Smitty is 8" wide

Tuffy 7 3/4" wide

Both are 16" tall off back leg, and 12 tall from base:

Smitty opening

Tuffy opening

OK - now we see what i like one over the other:

LOCK! This thing is beefy on the Tuffy

Vs the Smitty's lock...

IMO there really is no comparison... The tuffy has a solid, protected lock vs what i'd expect in my office desk (latch wise) in the Smitty.

Tuffy has a nice push down release with standard key (won't push down when locked)

Smitty has a more pick resistant, but simple turn to lock w/ no release (rattle or bouncy?)

Hinges (dusty is Tuffy)

Both open interiors

Smitty

Tuffy

For my spare truck the Smitty looks fantastic (was going to do the ammo can console) and chose the smitty on price and that it locked.

I still prefer the Tuffy due to easier fitment, better latch/lock.

I haven't tried the cup holders in the Smitty - so can't yet compare with the simple ones on the Tuffy.

What i like on the Smitty is the a) Price, b) Price, c) Taller cushion, and *maybe* the cup holders... we'll see.

I *may* have gone a bit overboard w/ the pics... But hey i had the camera out and kept thinking of what it might be cool to see difference wise. And i'm just a geek...

The console has already been installed a bunch w/ pics so i doubt mine is any different really that what everyone has seen, but obviously don't mind taking pics if you want to see it installed.

HTH!

 

[Eldorado556]

Too many pics are never a bad thing.

My Smitty should arrive early next week. The Tuffy lock in definitely bombproof. Let's hope that would be thieves mistake the Smitty for a Tuffy and walk away. I'd be more interested in a Tuffy if I drove a 40 with no top.

 

[shotgun12321]

Man.....you're a boss for doing such a review.

 

[Black Op]

Yeah Great Pic's and review thanks. I had already ordered my Smity before this based on price and that is looks much like the Tuffy. I agree that the lock mech is better in the tuffy though.

Thanks for taking the time and actually putting these side by side. I know others will benefit from this greatly.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

sl33py,
Great side by side review. I've never seen a tuffy other then from the outside of a vehicle and I've been curious how they compare next to each other.

 

[augirthedude]

I bit the bullet a few years ago and bought the Tuffy center consul. Yes it was expensive ! But I've never looked back as it was a mistake . One thing I was not so keen on was the Mounting system that tuffy provided. If installed as per instuctions you have to remove the OEM brackets and install the Tuffy bracket which bolt thru the floor of the vehicle . i was not prepared to do this ,wanting to keep the stock mounting. I measured and drilled several 6mm holes in the bottom of the Tuffy so it would attach to the OEM bracket . Although not as secure as bolting thru the floor pan . it is a much cleaner install . so we have all heard before ...." make sure you get what you pay for" with the Tuffy you do get what you pay for. A tough little box with a bombproof lock.

 

[sl33py]

It's tough to compare these two and not see how nice the Smitty is... It looks, feels, and measures up against the Tuffy on almost every aspect... at 1/3 to 1/4 the price $$$!

I think the Tuffy may be a bit thicker steel (very marginal) as it seems to weight quite a bit more - at least noticeable while moving them around. My Tuffy has a CD Deck in the pocket, otherwise they should weigh the same, and i don't imagine the CD player weighs all that much.

Pro's and Con's of the locks - I like the latch and positive feel of the Tuffy lock. Though a simpler key I think it's probably better since i can get another cut anywhere - vs the cylinder key (or whatever they are called). The Smitty probably is more "pick" resistant, but honestly if they can pick a lock they are already not the guy i'm trying to keep out. Meth douchebags and joy ride kids...

Neither console is really likely to stop them from smashing a window and getting the change in the ashtray - but i might still have my stereo afterward. hopefully with the CD player out of sight and a locking center console they will just look for easier and more lucrative targets. Here's hoping...

Mounting since i can barely measure was a bit of a pain. I was doing it at 11pm and trying to be quiet w/ GF trying to get to bed and a bit rushed. Plus i'm kind of a measure 3 times cut twice kinda guy... So it went OK. I'd like to tighten it down this morning (finger tight last night), and get the front mounts secured better. I got some longer bolts late last night (love Fred Meyer being open till 11), some washer and assorted (I didn't use). I used one 8mm up front for the only connected hold down currently, but have the two screw holes to each side i'd like to use next.

Once i got the back holes to line up (a bit off and had to drill out a bit larger) I actually used the small supplied bolts (2 of the six - ones above straps) which threaded into the existing back mounts on the 60. Bonus. Doing this late meant i didn't have time to drill anything out on the truck, and just tried to get it placed and finger tight last night.

Going to take the 60 to work this AM, so we'll see how i like it... Better than the gaping hole there previously i'm sure.

Thx guys - always love to have an excuse to bust out the camera! And being a visual person I am always for more pics than not enough. Seems like Smittybilt is getting a fair bump in business on these consoles... and for good reason!

Let's chat models real quick!

For you 62 guys -

31711, 31715, 31717 (grey, black, tan) - no stereo pocket, shorter and maybe WIDER?

Security Floor Console Dimensions:
22" Long / 9" Wide / 12" Tall

Mine is model 31815 mentioned in landcruiserjunky's thread just in case anyone wanted to confirm.

From Amazon

Same - 31811, 31815, 31817 (grey, black, tan)

And maybe the 62 isn't wider - Smittybilt site shows the 3181x as:
Security Stereo Floor Console Dimensions:
27" Long / 9" Wide / 15" Tall

I went with black. FJ62's look to best fit with the non stereo version - check out LCJ's thread for those specifics. I don't have a 62 to do a 3way comparison...hehehe.

HTH!

 

[sl33py]

It's tough to compare these two and not see how nice the Smitty is... It looks, feels, and measures up against the Tuffy on almost every aspect... at 1/3 to 1/4 the price $$$!

The Smitty really looks to be nearly a clone of the Tuffy w/ taller pad, a different cup holder, and a bit less secure lock/latch. Small things like the adhesive weatherstrip being a bit cheasy compared to the Tuffy's rubber "gasket" type... etc.

another side note - the 62 3171x consoles are also shorter height wise. That is one thing i really like is how tall that pad is. just food for thought.

I gotta get my ass to work and stop goofing off here...

 

[Devortex]

Thanks for the nice comparison. For my $$, I bought the Smitty. The only real drawback to me was the smaller locking mechanism but I figured that a determined criminal is going to use a prybar on either one and eventually get in if he really has the time anyway. IMO, the average hoodlum breaks into the truck (easy as we all know), sees that the console is locked, tries to open it for about 30 seconds and then moves on to easier pickings. Both stand up to this test. The informed criminal is taking your whole truck, not just the few valuables crammed into the console.
Buy the Smitty, use the extra cash for some other fun upgrades!

 

[Black Op]

The Smitty arrives Thursday of last week and I installed in on Friday evening. Like posted before you just measure and drill your own holes in the bottom (no big deal). I used my factory bolts and presto she mounted up very nicely. For the money I am very happy. The only thing the jury is still out on is the cup holders. I will try these out for a few weeks and if they do not perform well I will modify or change out to the Tuffy's. Overall very nice console. I agree with Devortex save your money on the Tuffy and get the Smitty use the extra money for something else like gas to feed these beasts........ MHO

 

[Heckraiser]

Seeing as my truck is either in my back yard or in the woods at any given time, I doubt I would ever actually lock the console. Sounds like the smitty is the right one for me. Thanks for the review.

 

[1911]

I bit the bullet a few years ago and bought the Tuffy center consul. Yes it was expensive ! But I've never looked back as it was a mistake . One thing I was not so keen on was the Mounting system that tuffy provided. If installed as per instuctions you have to remove the OEM brackets and install the Tuffy bracket which bolt thru the floor of the vehicle . i was not prepared to do this ,wanting to keep the stock mounting. I measured and drilled several 6mm holes in the bottom of the Tuffy so it would attach to the OEM bracket . Although not as secure as bolting thru the floor pan . it is a much cleaner install . so we have all heard before ...." make sure you get what you pay for" with the Tuffy you do get what you pay for. A tough little box with a bombproof lock.

+1 on all accounts. exactly how I mounted mine too (in my 40); didn't want to drill holes in my tub.

 

[fishontro]

One other bonus for the Tuffy is the fact that you can change the key to match other things. For example, in my CJ I had a rear locking trunk and bought the Center Console, then changed the lock to match. Very convenient to have one key work multiple things.

I also liked how the Tuffy cup holders fit a "soda and cozy" perfect.

Open top rig, get a Tuffy, you'll sleep better knowing that lock is very hard to get into. But for the price and in a 60, Smitty wins.

 

[fj60cruizer]

cool thread.

 

[Off Duty]

Very good info.

Looks like the Smitty lock would be easy to pop.
A few seconds and it's done. Pretty much childs play for the average thief.
Then again, the average thief usually doesn't break into trucks and raid ashtrays.
They steal the entire f**king truck! and/or snatch the stereo out of the dash (if it's worth anything) and they'te gone.

The pad height is an easy fix with some wood padding and vinyl.

I wonder if one could change out the lock system for something more substantial?

 

[sl33py]

Very good info.

Looks like the Smitty lock would be easy to pop.
A few seconds and it's done. Pretty much childs play for the average thief.
Then again, the average thief usually doesn't break into trucks and raid ashtrays.
They steal the entire f**king truck! and/or snatch the stereo out of the dash (if it's worth anything) and they'te gone.

The pad height is an easy fix with some wood padding and vinyl.

I wonder if one could change out the lock system for something more substantial?

agreed - it's meant to be more a deterrent than an actual preventative from someone who knows what they are doing.

If they want the truck neither is going to help much. Alarm and hidden kill switch would be more helpful.

Glad this is may help the next guy on a budget! This one is already in my 87 which days are numbered... Just until the 84 is done and then bye bye... . The 84 already has the tuffy and it's still my favorite of the two.

 

[krashe]

So why not put the kill switch inside the Tuffy? Now which one do you want?

 

[montanacruiser161]

Can you tell me which model this is off of their web site so I can buy the best one to fit my 60? Thanks

 

[montanacruiser161]

Sorry, figured it out did not read the whole post.

 

[slj333]

Gonna order up a Smitty! Thanks!!